Uttlesford Council is changing the way Council and Housing Association properties will be allocated to people on the Housing Register. We have launched a Choice Based Lettings Scheme in Uttlesford called HomeOption. HomeOption has been formed by Uttlesford, Brentwood and Epping Forest Councils and will later be joined by Broxbourne, Chelmsford and East Herts Councils.
What is HomeOption?
Applicants on the Council's Housing Register will now have a chance to express an interest in a property suitable for their needs when it is advertised in a fortnightly "freesheet". There is no need to wait for an offer of accommodation from the Council.
How does it work?
Each fortnight applicants on the Housing Register can express an interest in up to three properties which are advertised in the HomeOption "freesheet" and on the HomeOption website www.homeoption.org The first "freesheet" is published on Friday 23rd November. The properties will be offered to the highest pointed eligible applicant who has waited the longest out of those who have expressed an interest.
I'm on the Housing Register, what do I need to do?
People on the Council's Housing Register do not need to re‑apply, but they do need to start putting in their "expressions of interest". There are HomeOption coupons which can be posted in. Homeseekers can also express an interest in a property by telephone, text, or online. Everyone on the Register has been sent a HomeOption welcome pack. This includes a letter and user guide. The user guide tells you all about choice based lettings, where to pick up a "freesheet" to find a property and how to express an interest in it.
Why are we doing this?
The Government wants all councils to have choice based lettings schemes by 2010. Applicants will have more choice within the accommodation available, and the lettings system will be more transparent. The fortnightly freesheet will include a page that tells applicants about the properties that have been let previously under the HomeOption scheme. It will show the points of the successful applicants, and how many expressions of interest were received. This will give applicants a much clearer picture of the demand for properties.
Housing Allocations
Download the Housing Allocation Scheme here
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